Government jumps on Abbott admission on Slipper ruling

The Federal Government says it is 'staggering' the Opposition Leader hasn't read a damning Federal Court ruling in the Peter Slipper sexual harassment case.

Transcript

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ELEANOR HALL: Federal Government Ministers say they're staggered that the Coalition Leader Tony Abbott has not read a court judgement on sexual harassment allegations against the former Speaker, Peter Slipper.

The Federal Court threw the case out as an abuse of process and issued a judgement which implicated the former Howard government minister, now Liberal National Party candidate, Mal Brough.

Despite the decision, Mr Abbott continued to back Mr Brough's candidacy.

Now he's admitted that he hasn't actually read the judgement.

From Canberra, Samantha Hawley reports.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: The Federal Court judgement is 76 pages, including a comprehensive three page conclusion and it was handed down seven days ago.

But during a doorstop in London, Mr Abbott revealed he hasn't read a document which heavily implicates the Liberal National Party candidate, and the former Howard government minister, Mal Brough.

TONY ABBOTT: Mal is a friend of mine. Mal was a colleague of mine. I look forward to having Mal as a colleague of mine again. He's been pre-selected by the Liberal National Party. I look forward to campaigning with him. I look forward to winning the seat.

JOURNALIST: Is that a damaging assessment for him though, in that court judgement?

TONY ABOTT: Look, I haven't read it.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: The judgement received wide spread media attention, although Mr Abbott has been overseas since its release.

It finds James Ashby's case against his former employer, the former Speaker Peter Slipper, as an abuse of process.

And that Mr Ashby and another staffer were in combination with Mr Brough to cause Mr Slipper as much political and public damage as they could inflict on him to advance the interests of Mr Brough and the Liberal National Party.

Tony Abbott was asked why hasn't he read the damning document.

TONY ABBOTT: Because I am doing very important things for the people of Australia here in this country right now.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: The Government says Mr Abbott has form in this area.

In August he appeared on the ABC's 730 program to talk about a BHP document.

LEIGH SALES: Have you actually read BHP's statements?

TONY ABBOTT: No.

LEIGH SALES: But hang on, no you haven't read their statements today, but you're on commenting about what they've announced today and how the Federal Government's to blame for that.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: Tony Abbott later said that he had read the BHP statement.

CRAIG EMERSON: This is a damning indictment on a man who puts himself forward as the alternative prime minister of Australia.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: The Trade Minister Craig Emerson.

CRAIG EMERSON: Mr Abbott did not read the BHP statement on Olympic Dam. Mr Abbott did not read the judge's statement on Mal Brough and Mr Ashby. The only document that we know Mr Abbott has read this year is 50 Shades of Grey.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: Craig Emerson says Mal Brough's name is mentioned almost a hundred times in the court document.

CRAIG EMERSON: Yet Mr Abbott is too lazy to read this document, doesn't read it, and concludes that Mr Brough is in the clear, has done nothing wrong, has been upfront and transparent.

NICOLA ROXON: Well it's staggering news. Absolutely staggering.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: The Attorney-General Nicola Roxon.

NICOLA ROXON: For the last couple of days, every member of the Liberal Party, including Mr Abbott himself, has been out defending Mr Brough. I think I recall Mr Abbott even saying that he's done absolutely nothing wrong and there's no question here to be answered. Well I think if you're going to make such sweeping comments, it would be wise to read the decision of the Federal Court judge.

SAMANTHA HAWLEY: The Liberal National Party has also backed its candidate, although Mr Brough is yet to speak publicly on the matter.

In a statement last week he said he's acted appropriately at all times.

James Ashby has signalled his intention to appeal the court's ruling, although he's yet to do so.